Roundup: 2013 St. Patrick’s Day festivities

Participants ride in the 2012 St. Patrick\'s Parade of Washington D.C. (Courtesy of St. Patrick\'s Parade Committee of Washington D.C.)

Hoai-Tran Bui, special to wtop.com

WASHINGTON – St. Patrick’s Day may not be a legal holiday anywhere in the United States, but it is certainly one of the most fervently and wildly celebrated by beer-guzzling youths.

The holiday, which started as a celebration of the merging of Irish and American culture, has now become a celebration of beer culture. In the notoriously tightly wound city of Washington D.C., St. Patrick’s Day offers residents a rare chance to cut loose.

Here are some St. Paddy’s events happening around the capital:

National Shamrock FestDate: Saturday, March 16 Location: RFK Stadium Time: 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. Cost: General admission $29.99, VIP $84.99Shamrock Fest is D.C.’s biggest St. Patrick’s Day celebration. The annual St. Patrick’s Day Festival, ranked by Beer Taste Magazine as the third best St. Paddy’s Day festival in the United States according to organizers, features more than 40 bands and DJ’s, 15 party areas, a Washington Nationals interactive experience area and massive amounts of beer. The festival has been one of the D.C. mainstays for St. Patrick’s Day for 13 years and continues to attract thousands of young partygoers clad in green hats and leprechaun costumes.

Shamrocks & ShenanigansDate: March 16-17 Location: Rumors at 19th and M St. NW, Washington D.C. Time: Saturday from 3 p.m. to 2 a.m, Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 a.m.Co-sponsored by Coors Light and Lindy Promotions, the 14th annual “Shamrocks and Shenanigans” St. Patrick’s Day celebration is held at Rumors, which doubles as a restaurant and nightclub. The 21+ event features Irish music by the ShamRogues, Irish celtic dancers and even bagpipers. The event is offering drink specials all weekend as well as prizes for the most festive Irish costume.

Shamrock 5K Fun Run/WalkDate: Sunday, March 17 Location: East Potomac Park, 900 Ohio Drive SW, Washington D.C. Time: 8 a.m. Cost: $35 registration feeThe Shamrock 5K Fun Run/Walk offers runners a scenic route through the East Potomac Park. The family-friendly run features music before, during and after the race and includes post-race snacks and beverages. The run finishes at Hains Point. Children ages 12 and up are encouraged to run.